by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Lisa Schiff

Schools cannot be used to bridge the budget gap. Not now, not ever. What ought to be an obvious truth is apparently too subtle for Governor Schwarzenegger to grasp. Despite the defeat of his past efforts to raid school funds, it seems that public education supporters should never have let up on this one simple message—and to make sure we can’t stop at the Governor’s mansion.

It’s never been clearer than now that our representatives need a stronger push to stand up for schools (and other public necessities) and turn the debate around from budget slashing to enhancing the revenue streams into public coffers. If dire cuts are on the table, then reasonable taxes, closing loopholes for wealthy individuals, and eliminating giveaways to corporations need to be as well.

In the midst of local, state and federal frenzied financial panics, reframing the conversation is difficult but necessary. The numbers are scary, it’s true, and that is precisely why the examination of revenue is required. As of February 20th, the Legislative Analysis Office (LAO) announced that the deficit is likely to be even higher than the estimate from the Governor’s office, bringing the total gap to about $16 billion.